Apparatus for installing and removing flow control devices

ABSTRACT

A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in the well tubing and for removing said device therefrom. A body adapted to be moved through the well tubing supporting a flow control device handling arm and means for laterally shifting the arm into position over a selected pocket when the body is oriented. Orienting means connected to the body for coacting with the orienting sleeve for orienting the handling arm relative to the pocket. A universal joint is provided in the body between the orienting means and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal joint to allow the body to move through curved portions of well tubing. The universal joint maintains the orienting means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment to allow orientation of the handling arm. An actuator is engaged by the orienting means for actuating the shifting means with the actuator movable through the universal joint. Spring means are connected to the body above the universal joint in position to urge the body away from the tubing and towards the pocket when the body is oriented.

United States Patent Tauseh et al.

[ 1 June 24, 1975 1 APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING AND REMOVING FLOW CONTROLDEVICES [75] Inventors: Gilbert II. Tausch; Ronald E.

Pringle, both of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Cameo, Incorporated, Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 456,094

[52] US. Cl l66/l17.5; 166/156 [58] Field of Search l66/117.5, 117.6,117.7, 166/153l56 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,126,0583/1964 Yetman ct al. 166/156 3,732,928 5/1973 Sizer 1. 166/117.5

3,752,231 8/1973 McGouen, Jr. et al.. 166/117.5

3,788,397 l/1974 Terra] et a1. l66/117.5

3,799,259 3/1974 Dinning l66/1l7.5

3,827,490 8/1974 Moore, Jr. et al. 166/117.5

[57] ABSTRACT A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for usein placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in amandrel having an orientating sleeve in the well tubing and for removingsaid device therefrom. A body adapted to be moved through the welltubing supporting a flow control device handling arm and means forlaterally shifting the arm into position over a selected pocket when thebody is oriented. Orienting means connected to the body for coactingwith the orienting sleeve for orienting the handling arm relative to thepocket. A universal joint is provided in the body between the orientingmeans and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about theuniversal joint to allow the body to move through curved portions ofwell tubing. The universal joint maintains the orienting means and thehandling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment to alloworientation of the handling arm. An actuator is engaged by the orientingmeans for actuating the shifting means with the actuator movable throughthe universal joint. Spring means are connected to the body above theuniversal joint in position to urge the body away from the tubing andtowards the pocket when the body is oriented.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN 2 4 ms SHEET 1 APPARATUS FORINSTALLING AND REMOVING FLOW CONTROL DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe use of an apparatus or kickover tool for installing or removing flowcontrol devices or valves from an offset pocket in a mandrel isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,231. However, it is frequentlydesirable to raise and lower the kickover apparatus through the welltubing by means of a hydraulic pumping system as well as by wireline. Ina pumpdown system, the well equipment passing through the well tubing isgenerally passed through a curved tubing in which the linear extent ofthe well tools being pumped is limited. The present device provides anapparatus or kickover tool for installing or removing flow controldevices or valves in which the longitudinal length of the rigid sectionsare reduced by using a universal joint to allow the tool to pass aroundthe curved sections that affect the well tubing.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a flow control devicehandling apparatus or kickover tool adapted for use for placing a flowcontrol device such as a valve in a selected offset pocket in themandrel in a well tubing and for removing the device therein. A body isprovided in which a universal joint is provided intermediate the ends ofthe body for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to eachother in a 360 direction so as to be moved through curved well tubing,but the universal joint maintains the ends of the body in rotationalalignment so that the apparatus may be oriented relative to the offsetpocket.

The flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tool of thepresent invention includes a body adapted to be moved through the welltubing and support a flow control device handling arm. Means areprovided for laterally shifting the handling arm into position over aselected pocket when the body is oriented. And orienting means areconnected to the body for coacting with an orienting sleeve in themandrel for orienting the handling arm relative to the pocket. Universaljoint means are provided in the body between the orienting means and thehandling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal jointthereby reducing the longitudinal length of the body and allowing thebody to be moved through curved well tubing. But the universal jointmeans is non-rotative about the the body axis thereby maintaining theorienting means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotationalalignment for allowing orientation of the handling arm.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision ofactuator means engaged by the orienting means for releasing the shiftingmeans in which the actuator means are movable through the universaljoint.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of aflow control device handling apparatus having a universal jointintermediate the ends of the apparatus and having spring means connectedto the body above the universal joint and positioned to urge the bodyaway from the tubing and toward the offset pocket when the body isoriented to aid in aligning the flow control device or valve. with theaxis of the offset pocket.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision ofa universal joint intermediate the ends of a kickover tool in which theuniversal joint is a ball tive to the offset pocket.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings where like character references designatelike parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an enlarged elevationalview, partly in cross section, of the top portion of the apparatus ofthe present invention in a well mandrel shown oriented but prior tobeing kicked over,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the apparatus actuated intothe kickover position,

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of the presentinvention in position beginning to insert a flow control valve into thesidepocket of a well mandrel, and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 in which the valve-is beingfurther inserted into the valve pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,the well tubing 10 is connected a plurality of vertically spacedmandrels 12, here shown only as one for convenience. Each mandrelincludes a main bore 14 therethrough generally having the same size andaligned with the bore of the well tubing 10 and includes an offsetpocket 16 for receiving a flow control device such as a valve 18.

A flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tool generallyindicated by the reference numeral 20 is adapted for raising andlowering in the tubing 10 and mandrels 12, such as on a wireline or byconventional hydraulic pumpdown apparatus, to install or remove thevalve 18 from the pocket 16. The apparatus 20 is provided forselectively installing or removing a flow control device or valve 18 inor from one of the desired vertically positioned mandrels 12 wherein thekickover tool 20 is oriented relative to the offset pocket 16 forinserting or removing the valve 18 from the pocket 16.

An orienting sleeve 22 may be provided aligned with the main bore 14 andpreferably positioned above the pocket 16. The guide sleeve 22 includesa longitudinal guide slot 24, a helical guide surface 26 positionedbelow the slot 24 and directed inwardly and upwardly toward the bottomof the slot 24 for guiding a key upwardly and into the slot 24, and anactuating shoulder 28 positioned at the top of the slot 24 for coactingwith a key positioned in the slot 24 for actuating the handlingapparatus 20. The flow control device handling apparatus or kickovertool 20 generally includes a body 30, a flow control device handling arm32 supported from the body 30, and an orienting and releasing mechanismgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 35 for coacting with theorienting sleeve 22 for orienting the handling arm 32 relative to theoffset pocket 16 for installing or removing a flow control device 18.The body 30 includes a first portion 31 and a second portion 33 andincludes a protective guide member 34. The handling arm 32 is connectedto the portion 33 by a pivot pin 36 and supports an adapter 38 which maybe a running adapter which is conventional, such as the Type JC-3 ofCameo, Incorporated, which may be utilized to carry a flow control valve18 for insertion into the valve pocket 16. Laterally shifting means,such as spring 40, is provided such as between guide means 34 and theadapter 38 for laterally shifting the handling arm 32 and thus theadapter 38 over a selected pocket when the apparatus 22 is oriented forshifting the valve 18 over the pocket 16.

Suitable supporting means 42 are provided for raising and lowering theapparatus 22 in the well tubing and mandrel 12 by any suitable meanssuch as a wireline or conventional hydraulic pumpdown equipment. Thesupporting means 42 includes a pivot connection 44 connected to the body30 for allowing the apparatus 22 to be deflected over and above thepocket 16, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Preferably, thesupporting means 42 includes a second pivoting connecting 46 to assistin aligning the adapter 38 and handling arm 32 with the offset pocket18.

The guide means 34 is arcuately shaped in cross section for ease inmoving along the tubing 10 and includes a recess in which the arm 32,adapter 38 and valve 18 may be carried in a retracted position so as tobe prevented from falling into or engaging the top of a pocket 16. Theguide 34 is more fully described in US. Pat. No. 3,353,608 and is sizedand shaped so it will remain in the bore of the tubing 10 and thus willbypass and will not become stuck over an offset pocket 16. The mandrel12 may also include a deflector and guide surface generally indicated bythe reference numeral 17 (FIGS. 3 and 4) as more fully described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,741,229. The deflector and guide 17 will engage the lower endof the valve 18, when the valve 18 is oriented and shifted over, toguide the lower end of the valve 18 into the pocket 16, but is sized andshaped so as to prevent other well tools from engaging or sticking inthe pocket 16 or on any valve seated therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the orienting means 35 includes amovable body 50 telescopically and longitudinally movable in the firstportion 31 of the body 30, and a locator key 52 pivotally connected tothe body 50 at its lower end by an emergency shear pin 54. The upperportion 31 of the body 30 includes an opening 56 through which thelocator key 52 is yieldably urged outwardly by a spring 58. While thelocator key 52 is yieldably urged outwardly at all times, it will,because of a downwardly facing tapered surface 60, readily passdownwardly over protruding shoulders inside of the main bore 14including any number of orienting sleeves 22. The key 52 includes anupwardly directed actuating shoulder 62 which, when the key 52 is belowthe guide surface 26, will contact the downwardly directed guide surface26 thereby rotating the valve handling apparatus 22 and rotatably alignthe apparatus 22 in the well bore as the guide key 52 moves along theguide surface 26 and into the longitudinal guide slot 24. Further upwardmovement of the valve handling apparatus 22 will bring the shoulder 62ofthe key 52 into engagement with the actuating shoulder 28 4 therebystopping further upward movement of the movable body 50.

Releasable engaging means is provided coacting between the handling arm32 and the second portion 33 of the body 30 for initially holding thearm 32, adapter 38 and valve 18 longitudinally aligned in the guide 34to prevent the valve 18 from being caught on undesired obstructions asthe apparatus 22 is lowered in the well tubing. The engaging means mayinclude a pin 66 on the arm 32' and a shoulder 68 on movable member 70which is initially secured to the body portion 33 by a shear pin 72.Normally, the movable body 50 is yieldably maintained upwardly relativeto the body 30 by a spring 74. However, as best seen in FIG. 2, when theapparatus 22 is moved upwardly in a mandrel 12, and the key 52 engagesthe actuating shoulder 28, the body 30 moves upwardly relative to themovable body 50. An actuator 76 is connected to the movable body 50, bya shear pin 78 and is adapted to engage the member 70. Therefore, upwardmovement of the body 30 relative to the movable body 50 causes theactuator 76 to be moved downwardly against the member 70 shearing thepin 72 which shears at a lower force than pin 78. The shoulder 68 ismoved out of engagement with the pin 66 thereby freeing the adapter 38and arm 32 to be laterally shifted by the spring 40 to a position overand above the offset pocket 16 and into engagement with the deflectorand guide 17, as best seen in FIG. 3. The handling apparatus 22 may belowered to cause the lower end of the valve 18 to move into the offsetpocket 16.

It is to be noted that prior art flow control device handling apparatusor kickover tools were generally designed for use in generally straightwell tubing and are of too great a longitudinal length to be pumpedaround a five foot curved radius well tubing having a diameter of threeinches. The present invention has, as one feature, the provision of auniversal joint, generally indicated by the reference numeral 80,intermediate the ends of the body 30 for allowing the body portions 31and 33 to pivot 360 degrees in any direction relative to each otherabout the joint 80. This allows movement of the apparatus 22 through acurved well tubing, for example only, a three inch well tubing having a5 foot radius. However, it is preferred that the universal joint 80 bepositioned between the orienting means 35 and the handling arm 32, andin that event, the universal joint 80 while having the capacity to pivotin any direction, must maintain the rotational orientation of thehandling arm 32 relative to the key 52 in order that the arm 32, adapter38 and valve 18 are properly oriented relative to the offset pocket 16.Preferably, the universal joint is a ball joint having a first member 82and a second member 84, one of the members such as 82 includin g a slot86 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 30, and the secondmember 84 including a pin 88 positioned in the slot 86 and axiallyaligned with the center of the ball joint. The universal joint 80 allowsthe body portions 31 and 33 to pivot in any direction relative to eachother and thereby pass through a curved portion of the well tubing, butthe coaction between the pin 88 and the slot 86 assures that when theorienting means 35 is oriented in the orientation sleeve 22, the

handling arm 32 will be rotationally oriented for moving outwardly andover the offset pocket 16 in the mandrel 12. Additionally, the'universaljoint 80 does not interfere with release of the member'70 by theactuator Referring to FIG. 3, it is noted'that when the valve 18 isbeing moved into the pocket 16, the valve 18 must become aligned withthe pocket 16,-as best seen in FIG.

4, for proper seating. In order to assistthe valve 18 in becomingaligned with the pocket l6, a spring, such as a bow spring 92, isprovided on the'side of the body 30 opposite from the handling arm 32 tourge the body 30 away from the tubing and towards the pocket 16 toassist the valve to enter thepocket 16. The pivoting connections 44 and46 also more readily allow the-valve 18 to become vertically alignedwith the pocket 16.

After the valve 18 is seated in the pocket 16 and locked by shoulder 13,the valve 18 may be conventionally disconnected from theadapter 34 by anupward movement, as is conventional. The apparatus 22 may be withdrawnfrom the tubing 20 by moving the apparatus 22 upwardly and jarring thelocator key 52 against the shoulder 28 to shear the pin 78 which willbring a retracting shoulder 94 against the taperedface 60 of the key 52retracting the key 52 into the movable body 50 and away from theshoulder 28.

Of course, the handling apparatus 22 of the present invention may alsobe used to remove a valve 18 from the seat 16 in a selected mandrel byutilizing a pulling adapter 20 of any conventional type, such as theType JDC of Camco, Incorporated, in place of the running adapter 38.

In operation, the handling apparatus is used for installing a valve 18in a preselected pocket 16 by being lowered downwardly into the tubingand past any number of mandrels 12 to the desired mandrel 12 in which itis desired to install or remove a flow control device 18. On reachingthe desired location, the apparatus 22 is raised whereby the guide key52 engages the guide surface 26 and further upward movement causes thekey 52 to rotate and be guided into the guide slot 24 thereby orientingthe apparatus 22 with respect to the offset pocket 16. Further upwardmovement will cause the shoulder 62 on the key 52 to contact theengaging shoulder 28 above the slot 24 of the orientation sleeve 22, asbest seen in FIG. 1. Further upward movement of the apparatus 22 willmove the body 30 upwardly, as best seen in FIG. 2, relative to themovable body 50 causing the actuator 76 to move the member 70 and shearthe pin 72 carrying the shoulder 68 off of the pin 66 which releases thehandling arm 32. The shifting spring 40 will now move the adapter 38 andvalve 18 into position above the pocket 16 and into the deflector andguide 17, as best seen in FIG. 3. Further downward movement of theapparatus 22 causes the lower end of the valve 18 to move into thepocket 16 and become axially aligned thereof with the aid of theuniversal joint 80, the pivots 42 and 44 along with the action of spring92. Further downward movement latches the valve 18 in the pocket 16 andan upward jarring action disengages the adapter 38 from the valve 18.The running tool 22 may then be removed from the tubing 10 as previouslydescribed.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as othersinherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes inthe details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made whichwill readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and whichare-encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing aflow control device in a selected offsetpocket in a mandrel having anorientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said devicetherefrom comprising,

a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing,

a flow control device handling arm supported from the body, 1

means for laterally shifting said handling arm into position over aselected pocket when the body is oriented,

orientating means connected to the body for coacting with theorientating sleeve for orientating the handling arm relative to thepocket, and

universal joint means in the body between the orientating means and thehandling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal jointfor allowing movement of the body through curved well tubing, butmaintaining the orientating means and the handling arm in apredetermined rotational alignment for providing orientation of thehandling arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

actuator means engaged by the orientating means for actuating theshifting means, said actuator means movable through the universal joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

spring means connected to the body above the universal joint, andpositioned to urge said body away from the tubing and toward the pocketwhen the body is oriented.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the universal joint is a ball jointhaving first and second members, one of the members including a slotparallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and the second memberincludes a pin positioned in the slot and axially aligned with thecenter of the joint.

5. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing aflow control device in a selected offset pocket in a well tubing and forremoving said device therefrom comprising,

a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing,

a flow control device handling arm pivotally connected to the body,

shifting means for pivoting the handling arm relative to the body,

releasable engaging means coacting between the body and the handling arminitially preventing the handling arm from being shifted until theengaging means is released,

locating means carried by the body for releasing the engaging meansincluding a locator shoulder protruding upwardly and adapted to contacta shoulder in the tubing for actuating the releasing engaging means,

a universal joint means intermediate the ends of the body for allowingthe ends of the body to pivot relative to each other to be moved throughcurved tubing but maintaining the ends of the body in rotationalalignment, said universal joint means is positioned between the locatorshoulder and the handling arm, and

said locating means includes an actuator movable through the joint forreleasing the engaging means.

6. A flow control device handling apparatus for use in placing a flowcontrol device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having anorientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said devicetherefrom comprising,

a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing,

said body including an elongated guide means adapted to be loweredthrough the well tubing and bypass said seat,

a flow control device handling arm pivotally connected to the guidemeans,

shifting means for pivoting the handling arm relative to the guidemeans,

releasable engaging means coacting between the guide means and thehandling arm initially preventing the handling arm from being shifteduntil the engaging means is released,

orientating means carried by the body for releasing the engaging meansincluding a locator key adapted to coact with an orientating sleeve fororientating the body relative to the pocket, and

a universal joint means in the body positioned between the locatingmeans and the handling arm for allowing the ends of the body to pivotrelative to each other for allowing movement of the body through curvedwell tubing, but maintaining the ends of the body in rotationalalignment for providing orientation of the handling arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the locating means includes anactuator movable through the universal joint for releasing the engagingmeans.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 including,

spring means connected to the body above the universal joint andpositioned to urge said body away from the tubing and toward the pocketwhen the body is oriented.

Notice of Adverse Decisien in Interference In Interference No. 99,475,involving Patent No. 3,891,032, G. H. Tausch and R. E. Pringle,APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING AND REMOVING FLOW CONTROL DEVICES, finaljudgment adverse to the patentees was rendered June 23, 1977, as toclaims 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

[O ficz'al Gazette Septembm" 20, 1 977.]

1. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing aflow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having anorientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said devicetherefrom comprising, a body adapted to be moved through the welltubing, a flow control device handling arm supported from the body,means for laterally shifting said handling arm into position over aselected pocket when the body is oriented, orientating means connectedto the body for coacting with the orientating sleeve for orientating thehandling arm relative to the pocket, and universal joint means in thebody between the orientating means and the handling arm for allowing thebody to pivot about the universal joint for allowing movement of thebody through curved well tubing, but maintaining the orientatinG meansand the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment forproviding orientation of the handling arm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1including, actuator means engaged by the orientating means for actuatingthe shifting means, said actuator means movable through the universaljoint.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including, spring means connected tothe body above the universal joint, and positioned to urge said bodyaway from the tubing and toward the pocket when the body is oriented. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the universal joint is a ball jointhaving first and second members, one of the members including a slotparallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and the second memberincludes a pin positioned in the slot and axially aligned with thecenter of the joint.
 5. A flow control device handling apparatus adaptedfor use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket ina well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising, a bodyadapted to be moved through the well tubing, a flow control devicehandling arm pivotally connected to the body, shifting means forpivoting the handling arm relative to the body, releasable engagingmeans coacting between the body and the handling arm initiallypreventing the handling arm from being shifted until the engaging meansis released, locating means carried by the body for releasing theengaging means including a locator shoulder protruding upwardly andadapted to contact a shoulder in the tubing for actuating the releasingengaging means, a universal joint means intermediate the ends of thebody for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to each otherto be moved through curved tubing but maintaining the ends of the bodyin rotational alignment, said universal joint means is positionedbetween the locator shoulder and the handling arm, and said locatingmeans includes an actuator movable through the joint for releasing theengaging means.
 6. A flow control device handling apparatus for use inplacing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrelhaving an orientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing saiddevice therefrom comprising, a body adapted to be moved through the welltubing, said body including an elongated guide means adapted to belowered through the well tubing and bypass said seat, a flow controldevice handling arm pivotally connected to the guide means, shiftingmeans for pivoting the handling arm relative to the guide means,releasable engaging means coacting between the guide means and thehandling arm initially preventing the handling arm from being shifteduntil the engaging means is released, orientating means carried by thebody for releasing the engaging means including a locator key adapted tocoact with an orientating sleeve for orientating the body relative tothe pocket, and a universal joint means in the body positioned betweenthe locating means and the handling arm for allowing the ends of thebody to pivot relative to each other for allowing movement of the bodythrough curved well tubing, but maintaining the ends of the body inrotational alignment for providing orientation of the handling arm. 7.The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the locating means includes an actuatormovable through the universal joint for releasing the engaging means. 8.The apparatus of claim 6 including, spring means connected to the bodyabove the universal joint and positioned to urge said body away from thetubing and toward the pocket when the body is oriented.